5/5 - Excellent
Paula
I truly recommend. Gorgeous country with very friendly people
Ballena
Travel Guide
Visit Ballena
Where to stay in Ballena
Marina Vista
Marina Vista might not have many top sights, but Playa Dominical and Hacienda Baru are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
Villas Rio Mar
Dominical Beach, Ballena, Puntarenas
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Ballena. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (599 reviews)
"Wonderful experience. Lovely staff."
Reviewed on 2 June 2025
La Cusinga Lodge
Km166 Costarena Sur, Ballena, Puntarenas
Stay at this 3-star spa lodge in Ballena. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Arco Beach and Uvita Beach are located ...
"Beautiful eco lodge with walks on property and ocean views. Natural landscaping - Birds, monkeys butterflies etc."
Reviewed on 23 June 2024
Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa
7 km al Sur de Uvita, Costa Ballena, Ballena, Puntarenas
Stay at this 3-star beach resort in Ballena. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Playa Ballena and Arco Beach are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (218 reviews)
"The location of the property is beautiful, set back from the road and elevated for a great view of the Pacific. We particularly enjoyed the Happy Hour each day at 5:00 to enjoy the fabulous sunsets. The pool, the colorful plants, the toucans, tanagers, orapendulas and numerous other birds added so ..."
Reviewed on 17 April 2025
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Tiki Villas Rainforest Lodge & Spa
12km South of Dominical, Ballena, Puntarenas
Stay at this 3.5-star spa aparthotel in Ballena. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Playa Hermosa and Catarata uvita are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (151 reviews)
"Had a free weekend with the girlies during our month-long study abroad trip, and we could not have made a better choice than Tiki Villas!! The hotel staff, the view, the pool and spa services—absolutely no complaints from any of us. From the get go, we were treated so kindly; Nancy upgraded our hotel ..."
Reviewed on 1 June 2025
Canavida Villas & Resort
Calle la Union, Ballena, Puntarenas Province
Stay at this 4-star vacation home in Ballena. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 10 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Arco Beach and Uvita Beach are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (43 reviews)
"Canavida Villa was amazing! The views were stunning, the space was clean and beautifully designed and the host was incredibly welcoming. We loved every moment."
Reviewed on 28 May 2025
Luxury Jungle Villa~Honeymoon Privacy~Ocean View~Infinity Pool~Wildlife~A/C
Dominical
Stay at this villa in Ballena. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a garden. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (79 reviews)
Luxury Villa
"The Villa was as advertised with spectacular views of the jungle and ocean off in the distance. The rooms had A/C and kitchen was very well stocked. Very close to a major supermarket and many towns with excellent restaurants so you have the option of eating at home or going out. Everything was clean ..."
Reviewed on 1 May 2025
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Popular places to visit
Catarata uvita
4.5/5(9 reviews)
Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Catarata uvita during your travels in Ballena. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in this relaxing area.
Playa Tortuga
Why not spend a carefree afternoon at Playa Tortuga during your travels in Ballena? While you're in the area, stroll along the seaside.
Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary
5/5(7 reviews)
Why not see the exotic and native animals who live at Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary during your trip to Ballena? Wander the beautiful beaches in this relaxing area.
Reviews of Ballena
4.6
Top Destination
5/5 - Excellent
Verified traveler
Do everything in your power to preserve this area - its wonderful
4/5 - Good
Verified traveler
Whale watching excursion was very enjoyaable
3/5 - Okay
Verified traveler
Small town. Many dirt roads. Kind of dark. Not a lot to do, but there is a good restaurant La fogata. Primary activities are whale and dolphin watching tours. Wasn't impressed with the beach at all. Stick and debris all over. Use sunscreen!
5/5 - Excellent
Verified traveler
Food in Uvita was excellent and if you are visiting anywhere I recommend going to the Nauyaca Waterfalls (but make sure you pay for the truck ride as it's miles of hiking over rough terrain vs. a 30 minute ride)
5/5 - Excellent
Verified traveler
Ballena is so beautiful. We visited during the wet season and it is a great time to experience the rainfall and see many different animals. If you fly into SJO, there is a Walmart store and you can purchase anything including bottle water.
- Playa Dominical
- Playa Tortuga
- Ventanas Beach
- Catarata uvita
- Arco Beach
- Pinuela Beach
- Hacienda Baru
- Secret Lau Pool
- Marino Ballena National Park
- Uvita Beach
- Nauyaca Waterfalls
- Punta Uvita
- Chirripó National Park
- Playa Ballena
- Tortuga Beach
- Matapalo Beach
- Playa Dominicalito
- Terraba Sierpe National Wetlands
- Playa Hermosa
- Hacienda Barú National Wildlife Refuge
- Linda Beach
- El Pavón Waterfall
- The Secret Gardens
- Parque Reptilandia
- Finca 6 Archaeological Site
- Ciudad Cortes Central Park
- Cloudbridge Nature Preserve
- Samaritan Chocolate
- Quebradas Biological Center
- Sunset Surf Dominical - Day Lessons
- Playa Garza
- Alexander Skutch Bird Sanctuary